The Enugu State Government has said it has moved Miss Ukamaka Okonkwo, the lucky girl who was rescued from the dungeon of Obi Levi Obieze, the alleged ritualist and kidnapper at Ndiagu Umumba in Ezeagu LGA of the state, to a government facility for therapy and rehabilitation.
The Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs, and Social Development, Mrs Ngozi Enih, who made this known on Sunday, said that this was at the instance of the state governor, Dr Peter Mbah, given the trauma she must have passed through.
Mrs. Enih said the governor has also awarded Miss Okonkwo a scholarship that will allow her to continue her education at the university from her present class.
“We travelled to Ndiagu Umumba, Ezeagu LGA, today at the governor’s instance to meet with parents of Ukamaka, and to bring her to Enugu where she will undergo the necessary therapy and be fully rehabilitated. You can imagine the level of trauma this young girl must have passed through.
“So, the government wants to ensure that she bounces back fully in the shortest possible time. Therefore, the Ministry of Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development will provide her with therapies and counselling before reintegrating her into society.
“The Governor has also graciously awarded a scholarship to her, which is to see her through university education from her current class. This is just a way of reassuring her and her parents that they are not alone and to put smiles on their faces. The government wants to ensure that she fulfils her glorious destiny because she is a destined child.
“In addition, a government delegation visited Mr Theophilus Ezih and Mrs. Chinenye Ezih, parents of the deceased boy, Chimaobi Ezih, at Agba Umana in Ezeagu LGA, to commiserate with them over the unfortunate incident. We share their pains,” she stated.
She, however, said that the identity of the pregnant woman also found dead in the Ndiagu Umumba dungeon had not yet been identified to be able to trace her relatives. She assured the government and the relevant security forces were working on it, maintaining that all the culprits would be brought to book.
“As you know, this government has zero tolerance for crime. The government has already demolished the property linked to these dastardly acts in line with the extant laws of Enugu State.
“The police and other security agencies are working with the government to track down and bring back those still at large to face justice. That is the only way to appease the spirits and souls of the deceased and to get our society rid of such crimes,” she concluded.
The government also sent the Deputy Chairman of Ezeagu Local Government Council, Hon. Nkiru Ugwuagu, and the Head of the Child Department, Ministry of Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Clementina Ogbu, to the affected families.
